Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM
Yassin relaxes criticism of Government at GOA Awards Ceremony
By Edison Jefford
In unprecedented brief remarks and shift from what had become a norm, President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), K.A. Juman Yassin relaxed his usual criticism of Government with what can be called an extension of the olive branch.
IOC Member, Sir. Austin Sealy (third, left) and GOA President, K.A. Juman Yassin (fourth, left) join other GOA Council Members (seated) and Awardees (standing), following the Appreciation and Awards Ceremony Saturday night at Georgetown Club.
For several years now, Yassin has used the Annual GOA Appreciation and Awards Ceremony to condemn some aspect of Government’s failure in sport development and administration. But that characteristic of the occasion was removed Saturday night.
“In the past, I had a lot to say about the Government; persons said I was critical, but rest assure I don’t intend to be critical tonight,” Yassin said, when the Olympic association once again hosted their appreciation evening that also included dinner at Georgetown Club.
“I want to comment on the significance of the Synthetic Track. For years Guyana had none, and I want to compliment Government for building and opening of the Synthetic Track. I hope that the Athletics Association of Guyana will write to the Ministry (of Sport) from Monday to utilise the track,” Yassin told an audience of sport enthusiasts, representative of sport associations and other special invitees.
The long-standing GOA President said that he is yet to hear from the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic and all opposition parties about their respective sport policies and how they intend to develop the varying sport disciplines in Guyana.
“The GOA has tried its utmost to help associations and athletes. In the coming months, there will be scholarships coming on stream for athletes. I want us all to work together to ensure Guyana is successful in sports,” Yassin concluded in uncharacteristically brief remarks.
The guest speaker at the occasion was Barbadian-based International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member, Sir Austin Sealy, who said there was nothing for the sports community to be ashamed of with the late arrival of the Synthetic Track.
“I encourage the athletes to take advantage of the new installation,” he said, adding that there is need for good relations to exist between national sport associations and Government. According to Sealy, the construction of venues that serve multi sports ensures that they don’t become white elephants upon completion.
He spoke extensively of the relevance of the CARIFTA Games, informing that the IOC is at the crossroads after changing leadership two years ago. Sealy said that one of the important issues of the IOC is to keep the playing field levelled for all member states.
Secretary General of the Olympic Association, Hector Edwards presented their Report on 2014; inclusive in his reporting was that GOA has so far spent $11M on the construction of a fence for its Headquarters at Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara.
Those who received awards for their contribution to the development of sport included, Gokarn Ramdhani (Badminton); Gordon Ian McDavid (Squash); Stephanie Fraser (Swimming); Howard Bovell (Weightlifting); Dion Nurse got the ‘GOA Council Member of the Year 2014’ award and Ian McDonald receive the IOC Trophy for ‘Sport and Art’. Emmerson Campbell of the Stabroek News was awarded Sports Journalist of the Year (Olympic Sports).
The night began in sombre fashion with a moment of silence for Shanomae Blackmore, the late former GOA Administrative Secretary, whom Yassin said, is tremendously missed for the work she had pioneered for Guyana’s Olympic House.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
No conflict of interest exists
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Accusations of conflict of interest have a peculiar way of rising to the surface in Guyana.... more
Clarifying misconceptions about the Panama Canal
Sir Ronald Sanders (Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS) By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News–... more
Weekend Cartoon
